Christian - Is it Morally Sound to Read Harry Potter?
Some Questions to Consider
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend
one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea.
- Is sorcery, spiritism, astrology or witchcraft a major theme in Harry Potter books?
- What subject matter is taught at the Hogwarts School in Harry Potter?
- Harry Potter books are called "fantasy", and certainly they are about fictional characters, but is witchcraft fantasy? Are magic arts fantasy?
- Does God approve or condemn sorcery, spiritism, astrology and witchcraft? ( HINT: Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Isaiah 47:9 Revelation 21:8 )
- If a person finds entertainment from something which God condemns, does that not call for repentance?
- Do the Harry Potter books condemn witchcraft and wizardry as the Bible so clearly does, or do you think these abominations are portrayed as something virtuous?
- What would you say is the age group of the Hogwarts students?
- What age group would you say the Harry Potter books are written for?
- Would you say the target readership of these books is at an impressionable age?
- Do you think if the people who are mentioned in Acts 19:19 who used curious arts and brought their books to be burned, would have exempted some of their books because "they were only fantasy"?
- Rephrasing the previous question, do you think those christians who burned their books would have then allowed their children to read anything like Harry Potter?
- Christ gave a very gravid warning to any that would cause a little one to stumble.
He was speaking particularly of children. See Matthew 18:5-6. Would you want to answer on judgment day for presenting such material to children?
Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son
or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination,
or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer,
or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD:
and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive
them out from before thee.
My admonishment to adults who name the name of Christ: Do not grant your
approval to any of this - not even implicitly by reading it, and thereby
cause some child to think it's okay to fill his mind with such abominations.
My admonishment to youth who name the name of Christ: Do not be enticed
or lured into this. It is Satan's method of enticing you and tricking you
into believing that wickedness is power and a way to advance yourself, or to get what you want.
In the end, you will be very sorry. There are many good things out
there for you to read, and on which to focus your attention. You have no excuse
to go eating at the table of wickeness.
How many christians can honestly say, "I am spending sufficient time in
God's word - the Bible"? How many christians can honestly say, I am spending
enough time on my knees in prayer"?
If you truly are spending enough time in prayer and in the word, then
the Holy Spirit will certainly convict you of what a great error and transgression
it would be, to entertain youself with that which is an abomination to God.